How to Expand Your Business Perspective Through LVC’s MBA Program

For Austin Lesher, pursuing an MBA wasn't just about earning a credential; it was about broadening his perspective and strengthening his ability to lead. With a professional background rooted primarily in sales, he was eager to deepen his understanding of how other areas of business operate. Lebanon Valley College's MBA program offered exactly what he was looking for: a chance to learn from professionals across diverse industries and roles.

Discovering a Broader Business Lens

Austin was initially drawn to the MBA program because of its emphasis on collaborative learning. "My background has been primarily in sales," he shared, "so the chance to learn alongside professionals from different parts of the business world was a major factor in choosing the program."

Hearing how classmates approached challenges-from operations to finance to organizational leadership-helped him develop a more holistic view of business. That variety, he says, has been invaluable.

A Program Designed for Working Professionals

Balancing graduate coursework with a full-time job can be demanding, but Austin found LVC's flexible structure to be a perfect fit. The program's pacing allowed him to stay engaged without sacrificing professional responsibilities.

"I connected with classmates both inside and outside of Carlisle," he said. "It broadened my perspective and helped me strengthen my understanding of how different parts of a business operate."

The online format played a major role as well. Professors understood the realities working professionals face, and Austin appreciated the autonomy to complete work when it best aligned with his schedule. "The cadence of the coursework worked well with a full-time schedule," he noted.

Lessons That Translate Directly to the Workplace

While Austin credits many aspects of the curriculum for shaping his growth, his supply chain management courses stood out the most.

"They gave me a much deeper appreciation for the operational challenges our plants and production teams face," he said. Armed with this knowledge, he approaches internal conversations with more insight-and his customer-facing discussions have evolved, too.

One memorable example came directly from his operations and supply chain coursework. With a stronger grasp of plant capacity and workflow management, he found himself better equipped to interpret production constraints and explain them clearly to customers and reps. "It improved the quality of my conversations and helped set clearer expectations during project planning," he said.

Finding Balance Through Communication and Support

Managing work, life, and graduate studies isn't easy, but Austin found success through proactive communication. If he anticipated a particularly demanding week, he reached out to his professors early and found them more than willing to collaborate on due dates. "Clear communication made the biggest difference," he emphasized.

Advice for Fellow CCM Employees

For other Carlisle employees considering LVC's MBA program, Austin offers simple, enthusiastic advice: "Absolutely pursue it."

The value, he says, goes far beyond classroom learning. "You learn so much from people you wouldn't normally interact with-how they think, how they approach challenges, and how their part of the business operates."

A Transformative Experience

When asked to sum up his MBA journey in one word, Austin didn't hesitate: transformative.

Through new knowledge, fresh perspectives, and meaningful professional connections, LVC's MBA program has reshaped the way he understands business and strengthened the way he contributes to his organization.